Exhibit: Michelangelo Is Just Like Us!

AGO's Michelangelo: Quest for Genius Exhibition Review

Even geniuses feel like failures and have bad days. That's what the AGO is trying to portray in one of their newest exhibits Michelangelo: Quest for Genius.

Studies for the Head of Lena for the painting Leda and the Swan, around 1530

Through 30 rare drawings, Quest for Genius tells the story of Michelangelo's thought processes, obsession to detail, his quest for perfection, and his frustrations at perceived failures. 29 of the drawings are on loan from Casa Buonarroti, a Florentine palazzo designed by Michelangelo which was later converted to a museum by his great nephew. Both architectural and figurative drawings are represented, some the practice runs of some of his most famous works. Others are visions of projects never completed.

Study of Legs, 1524-1525

Study for the Portia Pia in Rome, around 1561

A really cool aspect of this exhibit is how some drawings were superimposed on the actual architecture standing in Italy today. I also loved the two video screens near the end of the exhibit that bring to life, through virtual-reality, two unfinished projects of Michelangelo. I think he would approve.

Plan for the Church of San Giovanni dei Fiorentini in Rome, 1559-1560

A Virtual-Reality Video Rendition of The Church of San Giovanni dei Fiorentini in Rome from Michelangelo's Plans

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti was born March 6, 1475 in Caprese, Italy. His family later moved to Florence. After the death of his mother at age 6, his father sent Michelangelo to live in with a stone cutter and his family outside Florence. When he returned at age 14 and showing no interest in studies, his father arranged a apprenticeship for Michelangelo with artist Domenico Ghirlandaio. And the rest is history.

Cleopatra, around 1532-1533

Madonna and Child, around 1524

I thoroughly enjoyed this exhibit. I felt like I got an intimate glimpse into the life of one of the world's greatest artists. It felt like I was in the presence of the divine (which was a nickname of Michelangelo's) and completely awed. The only downfall of the exhibit was all the Rodin sculptures (most of them castings) throughout the 3 rooms of the Quest for Genius exhibit. They were distractions and felt out of place. I believe they were there just for a "wow" factor and took away from the intimate nature of Michelangelo's drawings; which were "wow" all on their own.

Nude Seen From The Back, 1504-1505

Michelangelo: Quest for Genius is running until January 11, 2015. Please visit AGO for more information. And while visiting the AGO, don't forget to check out the amazing Alex Colville exhibit which ends soon!

P.s!: One of the drawings is from the AGO's permanent collection. Also, even though this is a ticketed exhibition, Wednesday nights is free general admission, so you would only have to pay the admission price to the exhibit!

P.s,

Melanie!